Cigar Review: Liga Privada No. 9 Flying Pig

I came across this cigar a week ago in Davidoff and to be honest as much as I wanted to smoke it I was hesitant that it would be a novelty cigar. The cigar is a limited edition smoke due to the size being difficult to roll with production being a little over 100 sticks per day. It looks like a major smoke producer and I wonder if it will be anything more then that. Plus every time I hear the name all I can think of is the band Pink Floyd (see video below). Can pigs fly? I guess we will find out

Appearance and Construction (19/20): When it comes down to it the Flying Pig is really nothing more then an oversized perfecto. The cigar has a gorgeous looking wrapper that is covered in a lot of little magnesium pimples. This is usually a sign of a good cigar. The cigar has an immense amount of oils showing and is well packed with no soft spots. The cap of the cigar looks like a pig tail which gives a nice effect considering the name of the cigar. The band is the same Liga Privada No. 9 of egg shell white, gray, and black writing with the name Liga Privada No. 9.

Flavor & Notes (27/30): I was caught off guard with the strong licorice notes this cigar offers on the prelight draw that made for an interesting beginning of this stogie. Once lit the cigar offered notes of licorice that sadly faded away rather quickly. The remaining notes in the first third were a dark chocolate and peppery spice. The second third of the cigar the dark chocolate notes really begin to pick up, practically masking the pepper notes from the added ligero in this blend. There is also a cedar note present making this stick more flavorful then the other vitolas in the line. The final third of this cigar has notes of dark chocolate, and wood. Once I lost the ash some of the licorice notes returned and the cigar had a leathery finish.

Burn/Ash/Draw (22/25): The cigar burned really slow and even from start to finish how ever due to the size it was hard to nub. The ash was incredible strong and held for 3/4 of the cigar. The draw was perfect from beginning to end, making this cigar an enjoyable experience.

Overall (24/25): I really thought this cigar would be about the strength and nothing else. I was pleasantly surprised that it was extremely flavorful throughout the smoke. The added ligero added some extra spice which kicked up the strength a notch but the cigar was a magnified Liga Privada No. 9. The one negative about this cigar though is the size which makes it awkward to smoke. If you like to hold the cigar in your mouth it is hard to keep it there although that is not a reason to keep one from stocking up on these.